A lutein-rich plate of avocado toast with hard-boiled eggs and seeds. (Joseph Gonzalez)A lutein-rich plate of avocado toast with hard-boiled eggs and seeds. (Joseph Gonzalez)

Last week I attended the annual Food and Nutrition Conference Expo for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a national organization of more than 75,000 registered dietitian nutritionists. This annual conference showcases cutting-edge science in food, nutrition and health. I’d like to share what I learned from a presentation on lutein.
Luteins are phytochemicals in the carotenoid family of nutrients. Levels of these nutrients in the eye are correlated to macular pigment density in the human retina, as well as to levels found in the brain. Lutein affects our visual health by slowing down macular degeneration as we age — called age-related macular degeneration. It’s also related to brain health and cognitive performance in older adults.